The season finale of NCIS: Origins Season 2 aired on May 5th, 2026, leaving wondering whether or not the show might be returning for a third season to explain the cliffhanger ending. We are happy to answer that question: Yes, it absolutely will! NCIS: Origins Season 3 has been officially announced by CBS, and will begin airing in fall 2026.

NCIS: Origins is set in the 1990s and follows the story of a younger version of Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) as he works under Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid) at Camp Pendleton. The cast also includes Mariel Molino as Lala Dominguez, Tyla Abercrumbie as Mary Jo Hayes, Diany Rodriguez as Vera Strickland and Caleb Foote as Randy, with the core cast expected to return in Season 3.

The final episode of Season 2 ended not only with a first kiss between Gibbs and Lala (Mariel Molino), but also with the kidnapping of Randy by forces unknown. Audiences should expect to find out just who was behind that when the show returns, but they should expect some changes, too: While the second season consisted of 18 episodes, NCIS: Origins Season 3 will be comprised of ten episodes. And that isn't the only change in store: former co-show runner Gina Lucita Monreal is departing the series, while David J. North will continue on.

While CBS has yet to announce a firm premiere date for the season, based on the past two years scheduling and the fact that the network is continuing its all-NCIS Tuesday night line up, it's expected that NCIS: Origins will return mid-October 2026.

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